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Coping with Cancer > Side Effects > Fatigue and Cancer > Managing Symptoms
Aerobic exercise program while getting treated for cancer
Lora Packel, MS, PT
Copyright © Lora Packel, MS, PT
Last Modified: April 9, 2009
It is important to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program during your cancer treatments, as there may be some days when you shouldn’t exercise.
You should try to exercise at least 3 days per week during your treatment for cancer.
Warm Up
This is an important part of any exercise program. It is even more important if you are not used to exercising, if you have a heart problem or if you are older than 55.
- Walk slowly for five minutes. This helps to get your muscles and heart ready for exercise.
Aerobic Exercise – Training Zone
In this part of the program, you should try to sweat. You will know if you are exercising hard enough if you use an exercise chart.
Use an exercise chart.
- The chart below is called a Borg Scale. Look at the scale and ask yourself how hard you are working during your exercise.
Try to work hard enough so that you are between 11 and 13
Borg-RPE-Scale® [PDF]